Over it’s 20+ years of existence, ACT! has not made major user interface changes very often. From time to time they do make changes and make it easier for users to get started or navigate the program. ACT! 2010 has more changes than any version since ACT! 2005.
ACT! by Sage 2010 Has a New Modern Look and Feel
Below is a slideshow containing screenshots of the updated interface.
What I Like About the Updated User Interface
Lookup: The integrated lookup in the left hand Navbar is quick, intuitive, and flexible. Users can now quickly find information by simply typing in the “Contains:” box for a selected contact field type.
Buttons: I like the size of the buttons on the toolbar along the top. The bigger buttons will make it easier for new users.
Reports: If you’ve seen the Top 5 Overlooked Features of ACT! Video training series, you know I’m a big fan of reports. In my experience, Reports is one of the most underutilized functions of contact management or CRM software in small business (regardless of product).
Introducing a Reports view, and making it intuitive to use, will result in more users using reports. This is good for small business, as it is important to know what is working in your database, especially in this economy. The option to ‘favorite’ a report is smart as well.
What I Don’t Like About the Updated User Interface
Green: I understand marketing, and branding, but a light green color theme in any software would take me some time to get used to. Good news, they do have an option to change the color scheme. I found the Sage Silver color theme, much easier on the eyes.
No Classic View: It would be nice for upgrading users to have a quick way to revert back to the classic view they are familiar with before learning the updated interface. While you can customize what appears on the Navbar, as well as minimize it, at this point, users are unable to revert to the old style.
Bottomline on the Updated ACT by Sage 2010 User Interface
Overall, it is a good improvement for the program. It is evident they have taken feedback in their user community seriously, and made many strides forward. It might be an adjustment for upgrading users, but overall it will help users navigate the program faster, while helping new users shorten their learning curve a bit. Learn more about ACT! 2010 here. Claim your copy of ACT! 2010 with Earlybird pricing here.
Your Turn: Thoughts or feedback on this latest version or this post, chime in using the boxes below.
*Photo Credit to chrisbrenschmidt
Hi, my name is Travis Campbell, I operate this site. A key to success in any business is to effectively manage your relationships. ACT! is a software product helping millions when it comes to doing just that. This Website is designed to assist both those considering ACT! software for their business, as well as to provide insight to ACT! users who want to effectively use it in their day to day operations. So login, post, browse and enjoy.
the audio is missing on the video.
Yep.
1. ACT 2009 that I purchased from you a year ago has an email program with it. It is not as strong as Outlook – I understand that. But I only use basic send, receive, reply, attach, etc. I do not do big mail merges and things like that. Wouldn’t the ACT email program work just as well for the basics or am I missing something?
2. The calendar in ACT seems okay also or am I missing something here also? Is Outlooks calendar that much better?
3. Wouldn’t it be easier just to do it all in ACT? If Outlook is that much better why not use Prophet 5 inside of ACT
4. I am asking these questions before I upgrade to the new ACT so your answers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Travis. I appreciate your feedback. It is nice to know that I can always get my questions answered.
You are ICHI BAN!
Ichiban – means NUMBER 1 ( now the spelling is correct, I think) – You have always been there to help!
Thanks Travis for all you very interesting advices.
When I saw ACT! 2010 I had hope to see my first necessity realised.
Unfortunately, I’m the only user
in needed to see a lookup
(multiple record, not only one record)
in google map.
Only one at time, also in 2010 !!!
Bye from the Dolomites !
Dario
Dario-
Thanks for stopping by. Can you give me a specific example of what it is you are attempting to do. Fields to search on, etc.?
Thanks,
Travis
In View / ContactList I find 3 or 30 contacts, so I need planning my trip to them to the maps!
My ACT! 2007 can search only one contact at time: nice but unuseful ! and in Italy it don't go.
Now I buy my new ACT!2010, I'm hoping that I can find a lot of contacts in the maps at one time !!! It would be a very useful for my work!
Thanks Travis!
Dario- There is a third party product that does that sort of thing quite well. I'll see if they might chime in here. -Travis
Car radio install…
Car radio install base,give you same guide about car radio mounting,car radio repair and removal….
Hitting the Gym Daily…
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Thanks Reid. Actually, just screenshots, no audio this time
oops… thanks.
One other question: Is it possible with the new version to easily email (mail merge) all contacts associated with a certain set of companies?
For example: To send an invitation to all employees (associated with a handful of companies) for a celebratory event after having completed a large project together.
Reid-
Can you clarify? You mean looking up all contacts associated with several different companies, and then perform your merge?
-Travis
Bob- Thanks for stopping by. You are correct, you can use ACT email exclusively over Outlook if you choose, it has tighter integration with ACT than Outlook.
The calendars are comparable. Using the ACT calendar ties everything to a contact which is the strength of the program, and why it beats out Outlook.
I hope this helps you Bob. I am finalizing the bonus package for my ACT 2010 customers. I think 2010 is definitely worth a look.
Glad to help. Although, not sure what Ichi Ban is, enlighten me.
Ah… My privilege. Thankful for your questions here, as it no doubt will help others who have similar questions.